Magnetic body piercing jewelry

ABSTRACT

A jewelry connection apparatus for body piercings, comprising an elongated piece having a first end and second end, wherein the first end is threaded a predetermined distance, an anchor having an opening, wherein the opening is threaded to mate with the threaded portion of the elongated piece, a first hollow component having a top end and an open bottom, wherein the top is attached to the second end of the elongated piece, a first magnet inserted into the open bottom and the first magnet is recessed into the first hollow component, a second hollow component having an open top end and a bottom end, a second magnet inserted into the open top end of the second hollow component and the, and wherein when the first magnet mates with the second magnet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to body piercing jewelry forattachment to a body piercing and, more particularly, relates to bodypiercing jewelry which has a magnetic portion to easily and quicklyadjust a decorative component.

Body piercing jewelry has become a very popular form of self-adornmentand personal expression that continues to rise in popularity amongfemales and males alike. Body piercing jewelry has been proposed forbody piercings in many various locations on the body, one popularlocation being the navel or belly button. Essentially a body piercing isa narrow passage formed through anatomical tissue for attachment of bodypiercing jewelry on the anatomical tissue via insertion of a componentof the jewelry through the passage. The body piercing has an entry holeand an exit hole along a surface of the anatomical tissue providingcommunication with the passage. Depending on the location of the bodypiercing, the entry and exit holes may lie along different aspects ofthe body, as in the case of a pierced earlobe where the entry hole isalong the front of the earlobe and the exit hole is along the back ofthe earlobe, or the entry and exit holes may both lie along the sameaspect of the body, as in the case of a navel piercing where the entryand exit holes both lie along a frontal aspect of the body.

It is common for body piercing jewelry to comprise an insertioncomponent to extend entirely through the body piercing passage, andstructures respectively attached to opposite ends of the insertioncomponent to present enlargements on the entry and exit sides of thebody piercing. The enlargements are prevented by their size fromentering the body piercing and thereby deter unintended detachment orremoval of the body piercing jewelry from the body piercing. Usually oneenlargement is formed by an ornament or jewelry component that providesa decorative aesthetic effect, and the other enlargement is formed by aretention component that serves a purely utilitarian or mechanicalpurpose. Either the ornament component or the retention component mustbe detachable from the insertion component to allow the insertioncomponent to be inserted in and withdrawn from the body piercing.

Most commonly, the ornament component attached to the first end of theinsertion component is maintained on the entry side of the body piercingdue to its size preventing it from entering the body piercing. Theornament component is usually permanently attached to the insertioncomponent. This creates several issues, in which the wearer has toremove the entire piece of jewelry to change the ornament component. Dueto the need to remove the entire piece of jewelry the wearer must keepvarious pieces with them, and also risks losing the many differentcomponents of the piece of jewelry. During the securement and removalprocess, it is easy for components to be dropped, misplaced or lost.Searching for a dropped, misplaced or lost component is made moredifficult due to the small size of them. When a component is missing anda replacement is not readily available, as is often the case, thejewelry is rendered unusable. Given that the ornament componentoftentimes includes precious or semi-precious metals, stones and/orgems, this presents a financial loss to the user.

Thus, a device that can have the ornamental design quickly, easily, andconveniently detached and reattached. This method creates feweropportunities to lose the various components of the jewelry and alsogreatly increases the versatility of the jewelry.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a jewelry connection apparatus for bodypiercings, comprising an elongated piece having a first end and secondend, wherein the first end is threaded a predetermined distance, ananchor having an opening, wherein the opening is threaded to mate withthe threaded portion of the elongated piece, a first hollow componenthaving a top end and an open bottom, wherein the top is attached to thesecond end of the elongated piece, a first magnet inserted into the openbottom and the first magnet is recessed into the first hollow component,a second hollow component having an open top end and a bottom end, asecond magnet inserted into the open top end of the second hollowcomponent and the, and wherein when the first magnet mates with thesecond magnet.

The present invention provides an additional embodiment of a jewelryconnection apparatus for body piercings, comprising, an elongated piecehaving a first end and second end, wherein the first end is threaded apredetermined distance, an anchor having an opening, wherein the openingis threaded to mate with the threaded portion of the elongated piece, afirst hollow component having a top and a substantially flat bottom,wherein the top is attached to the second end of the elongated piece andthe substantially flat bottom has an opening, a first magnet insertedinto the opening in the bottom of the first hollow component and theexpose surface of the first magnet is substantially parallel with thesubstantially flat bottom of the first hollow component and the firstmagnet is recessed into the hollow component a predetermined distance, asecond hollow component having a substantially flat top and a bottom,wherein the substantially flat bottom has an opening, a second magnetinserted into the opening in the top of the second hollow component andthe expose surface of the second magnet is substantially parallel withthe substantially flat top of the second hollow component and the secondmagnet protrudes above the substantially flat top of the second hollowcomponent a distance that is substantially opposite that of the firstmagnet, and wherein when the first magnet is in contact with the secondmagnet, the magnets are substantially concealed within the first hollowcomponent and the second hollow component.

The present invention provides an additional embodiment of a jewelryconnection apparatus for body piercings, comprising an elongated piecehaving a first end and second end, wherein the first end is threaded apredetermined distance, an anchor having an opening, wherein the openingis threaded to mate with the threaded portion of the elongated piece, ahollow component having a first connection surface attached to thesecond end of the elongated piece and a first magnet is affixed withinthe hollow component, wherein the first magnet and the connectionsurface are substantially parallel and offset a predetermined distanceand an ornament comprising, a hollow body having a second connectionsurface, wherein the second connection surface is substantially the samedimensions as the first connection surface of the hollow component, asecond magnet inserted and affixed within the hollow body, wherein thesecond magnet and the second connection surface are substantiallyparallel and are offset a predetermined distance that is opposite theoffset of the first magnet and the hollow component offset so when thesecond magnet of the hollow body and the first magnet of the hollowcomponent mate the hollow component and the ornament create asubstantially seamless surface, and a charm attached to the hollow body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a body piercing, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the body piercing, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a body charm, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of a body charm, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a front view of the body piercing with the body charmattached, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The products of the present invention provides a body piercing jewelryattachment system. The present system makes use of a detachable means toallow for easy and convenient removal of the ornamental component. Thisis helpful when a wearer desires to change the ornamental component ofthe body piercing without removing the entire article of jewelry.

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading thisdisclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustratedherein has discrete components and features which may be readilyseparated from or combined with the features of any of the other severalembodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the presentinvention. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited toparticular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It isalso to be understood that the terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intendedto be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limitedonly by the appended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein may also beused in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferredmethods and materials are now described.

All publications and patents cited in this specification are hereinincorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patentwere specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated byreference and are incorporated herein by reference to disclose anddescribe the methods and/or materials in connection with which thepublications are cited. The citation of any publication is for itsdisclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as anadmission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate suchpublication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates ofpublication provided may be different from the actual publication dateswhich may need to be independently confirmed.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claimsmay be drafted to exclude any optional component. As such, thisstatement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of suchexclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connectionwith the recitation of claim components, or use of a “negative”limitation.

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a body piercing 100, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, thebody piercing 100 is comprised from an anchor 101, a stem 102, aconnection means 103, and the first charm attachment member 104. Theelements of the body piercing 100 may be made from various materialsthat are nonreactive with the human body and avoid allergic andinfectious reactions such as stainless steel, titanium alloys, niobium,and the like.

The anchor 101 is used to secure the jewelry system 100 once the weareradorns the jewelry. In the depicted embodiment, the anchor 101 issubstantially a sphere. In additional embodiments, the anchor 101 mayhave various shapes, textures, and the like to provide the wearer withmore diversity and ability to modify the article of jewelry. The anchor101 has the necessary portions to properly attached to the securingmechanism integrated into the stem 102. For example, the anchor 101 andthe stem 102 have the mating male and female portions of the securingmechanism that is employed with the jewelry system 100. The securingmechanism maybe but not limited to a pressure snap fit, a threadedsystem where the anchor 101 is the female portion and the end of thestem 102 is the male portion, or other various means known in the art.

The stem 102 is designed to traverse the piercing opening. The diameter,length, and curvature of the stem 102 may be varied depending on theportion of the body which is being pierced. In the depicted embodiment,the stem 102 is sized to traverse a naval piercing. As stated above thestem 102 and the anchor 101 are detachably connected so that the wearercan remove the body piercing 100. At the end of the stem 102 which isnot attached to the anchor 101, the stem 102 provides a various designsor features that are aesthetically pleasing to the wear. In the depictedembodiment, the stem 102 has a sphere attached to the stem 102 thatconcludes at a closed loop. In additional embodiments, this feature maynot be present and the stem 102 terminates at a loop where theconnection means 103 attaches.

The connection means 103 attaches the first charm attachment member 104to the stem 102. In the depicted embodiment, the connection means 103 isa closed loop that passes through the loop at the end of the stem 102and the loop that is part of the first charm attachment member 104. Insome embodiments, the connection means 103 is detachable to allow forthe replacement and adjustment of the first charm attachment member 104.

The first charm attachment member 104 is comprised of a main body with aclosed loop attached to the top, and a recessed portion on the bottom,wherein a first securing mechanism 105 is inserted. In the depictedembodiment, the first charm attachment member 104 has a spherical designand a textured surface. In additional embodiments, the first charmattachment member 104 may have various textures, shapes, and sizes. Insome embodiments, based on the size and weight of a body charm 200 thestrength of the first securing mechanism 105 needs to be increased whichresults in an increased first charm attachment member 104. The firstcharm attachment member 104 is hollowed to allow for the first securingmechanism 105 to be inserted into and provide a portion of the firstcharm attachment member 104 which extends beyond the exposed surface ofthe securing mechanism 105.

The first securing mechanism 105 is recessed into the charm attachment104 to create a lip as depicted in FIG. 1. In the depicted embodiment,the first securing mechanism 105 is a magnet. The magnet may be, but notlimited to, neodymium iron boron (NdFeB), samarium cobalt (SmCo),alnico, and ceramic or ferrite magnets. The magnet is sized to fitwithin the first charm attachment member 104 hollow body and have aportion of the body that extends beyond the surface of the magnet. Thedistance from the surface of the first securing mechanism 105 and thebottom surface of the first charm attachment member 104 is at leastthree (3) millimeters.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the body piercing 100, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. In the view the lower portionof the stem 102 is shown with the sphere wherein the front surface ofthe sphere is flat for gems or other aesthetic features can be placed.The first charm attachment member 104 is shown to have a sphere shapewith the lower half removed. The first securing mechanism 105 exposedsurface is substantially parallel with the bottom surface of the firstcharm attachment member 104.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the body charm 200, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. The body charm 200 is compriseof a charm attachment member 202, an attachment means 204, and a charm203, and a securing mechanism 205.

The second charm attachment member 202 is comprised of a main body witha closed loop attached to the bottom end, and a recessed portion on thetop, wherein a second securing mechanism 205 is inserted into the hollowportion. In the depicted embodiment, the second charm attachment member202 has a spherical design and a textured surface. In additionalembodiments, the second charm attachment member 202 may have varioustextures, shapes, and sizes. In some embodiments, based on the size andweight of a body charm 200 the strength of the second securing mechanism205 needs to be increased which results in an increased diameter of thesecond charm attachment member 202. The second charm attachment member202 is hollowed to allow for the second securing mechanism 205 to beinserted into and provide a portion of the second securing mechanism 205which extends beyond the surface of the second charm attachment member202. This allows the body piercing 100 and the body charm 200 to bedetachably engaged with one another and fit substantially flushtogether.

The second securing mechanism 205 is recessed into the second charmattachment 202 to create a lip as depicted in FIG. 1. In the depictedembodiment, the second securing mechanism 205 is a magnet. The magnetmay be, but not limited to, neodymium iron boron (NdFeB), samariumcobalt (SmCo), alnico, and ceramic or ferrite magnets. The magnet issized to fit within the second charm attachment member 202 hollow bodyand has a portion of the second securing mechanism 205 that extendsbeyond the surface of the second charm attachment 202. The distance fromthe surface of the second securing mechanism 205 to the surface of thesecond charm attachment member 205 is substantially the opposite of thedistance between the first attachment member 104 and the first securingmechanism 105.

The connection means 204 attaches the second charm attachment member 202to the charm 203. In the depicted embodiment, the connection means 204is a closed loop that passes through the loop at the end of the secondcharm attachment member 202 and the loop that is part of the jewel 203.In some embodiments, the connection means 204 is detachable to allow forthe replacement and adjustment of the jewel 203, or to allow for thereplacement of the second charm attachment member 202 if something isbroken or damaged.

The jewel 203 may be various designed, features, items, icons, emblems,or the like. In the depicted embodiment, the jewel 203 is a panda bear.The jewel 203 includes a closed loop to connect with the connectionmeans 204.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of a body charm, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. The figure shows the second charmattachment member 202 as a substantially spherical shape with the topportion removed, and the second securing mechanism 205 extending apredetermined distance. The surface of the second charm attachmentmember 202 and the top surface of the second securing mechanism 205 aresubstantially parallel. In additional embodiments, the two surfaces maybe angled or adjusted to accommodate to the reciprocal alignment in thebody piercing 100 elements.

FIG. 5 depicts a front view of the body piercing 100 attached to thebody charm 200 attached, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. The first charm attachment member 104 and the secondcharm attachment member 202 when attached to one another complete asphere. In the depicted embodiment, the securing mechanisms 105 and 205are substantially concealed within the charm attachment members 104 and202. With the use of magnets as the means to secure to body piercing 100to the body charm 200, the two elements are able to be rotated freely sothat the jewel 203 can be positioned to be forward facing or to beflipped around if the jewel 203 has various images on various sides.

The securing mechanism 105 and 205 need to be strong enough to hold theweight of the body charm 200. For this to be accomplished the charmattachment members 104 and 202 may have to have the shape modified to anoval shape or other shapes to allow a greater surface area for thesecuring mechanisms to interact with one another.

In additional embodiments, the offset from the first charm attachmentmember 104 and the first securing mechanism 105 and the offset from thesecond charm attachment member 202 and the second securing mechanism 205may be reversed. The offsets may be angled or adjusted provided they arereciprocal offsets.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specificembodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as setforth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Variouschanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thisinvention.

1. A body piercings with connection apparatus, comprising: a stem havinga first end and second end; an anchor, wherein the anchor is secured tothe stem with a snap fit fastening mechanism; a first member having afirst end and an second end, wherein the first end is attached to thesecond end of the stem, and a first magnet is inserted within a cavityat the second end, and the first magnet is recessed a predetermineddistance within the cavity, wherein a lip is formed; and a second memberhaving a first end and an second end and a second magnet is insertedwithin a cavity at the second end, and the second magnet is raised adistance substantially equal to the distance the first magnet isrecessed within the first member.
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 13. A bodypiercings with connection apparatus, comprising: a stem having a firstend and second end, wherein a first closed loop is secured at the secondend of the stem; an anchor, wherein the anchor is secured to the stemwith a fastening mechanism; a first member having a first end and asecond end and a first magnet is inserted within a cavity at the secondend, and the first magnet is recessed a predetermined distance withinthe cavity and a lip is formed, and at the first end of the first memberis a second closed loop; a first ring secured within the first closedloop at the second end of the stem and the second closed loop at thefirst end of the first member; a second member having a first end and asecond end, and a second magnet is inserted within a cavity at thesecond end, and the second magnet is raised a distance substantiallyequal to the lip of the first member and the surface of the secondmagnet is substantially flat, and a third closed loop is secured to thefirst end of the second member, wherein when the first magnet is incontact with the second magnet, the magnets are substantially concealed;a charm having a first end, wherein a fourth closed loop is secured tothe first end of the charm; and a second ring secured within the thirdclosed loop at the first end of the second member and the fourth closedloop at the first end of the charm.
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 19. A body piercings withconnection apparatus, comprising: a stem having a first end and secondend, wherein the first end is threaded a predetermined distance, and aspherical component is integrated with the second end of the stem, and afirst closed loop secured to the spherical component distal to the stem;an anchor, designed to secure to the first end of the stem; a firstmember having a first end and a second end and having a second closedloop attached to the first end and a first magnet is affixed within acavity at the second end; a first releasable loop inserted through thefirst closed loop of the stem and the second closed loop of the firstmember; an ornament comprising, a second member having a first end and asecond end, wherein the first end has a third closed loop and the secondend has a second magnet affixed, a second releasable loop, and a charmhaving a fourth closed loop, wherein the second releasable loopconnected the second member and the charm through the third closed loopand the fourth closed loop.
 20. The body piercings with connectionapparatus of claim 13, wherein the first loop and the second loop aredetachable.
 21. The body piercings with connection apparatus of claim19, wherein the first magnet is affixed within the cavity at the secondend of the first member below a surface of the second end and the secondmagnet affixed to the ornament is protruding beyond a surface at thefirst end, and wherein when the first and second magnets are connectedthe surface of the first member and the surface of the ornamentsubstantially align.